BARNAUL, Russia -- Some 30 city council members in the West Siberian city of Barnual have signed a protest against the removal of the mayor, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Vladimir Kolganov was suspended as Barnaul mayor on August 12 by Altai Krai Governor Aleksandr Karlin for "systemically not fulfilling his responsibilities." Karlin recommended that Kolganov resign.

About members of the city parliament -- most of whom are members of United Russia, the pro-Kremlin party, as is Kolganov -- have publicly voiced their opposition to the mayor resigning or being removed from his post.

A local court on August 18 refused to consider Kolganov's legal complaint against the governor's decision to suspend him from his office.